McCann takes reins at Inverness
RANGERS midfielder Bongani Zungu faces an uncertain international future following the Covid rule break that has all but ended his Ibrox career.
The South African is one of five players – alongside Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Brian Kinnear and Dapo Mebude – at the centre of an internal investigation following a breach of coronavirus regulations.
The Ibrox quintet are now fighting for their futures with Steven Gerrard’s side and could face further action from the Scottish Football Association after attending a house party in Glasgow earlier this month.
But that may not be the only punishment that awaits Zungu after international manager Molefi Ntseki admitted his lack of game time in the Premiership could cost him a place in the Bafana Bafana squad next month.
South Africa host Ghana on March 22 before facing Sudan eight days later as they attempt to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ntseki and SA Football Association chief executive Tebogo Motlanthe will contact Rangers for further details regarding Zungu’s high-profile rule break and the 28-year-old’s international future is on the line.
Ntseki said: “It is something where we can’t commit ourselves until we have spoken to the club and to the player.
“I was in a meeting with the CEO [on Monday] addressing this matter. We can’t be seen to be commenting until we have spoken to the club to find out what happened.
“Maybe by the end of business [on Wednesday] we will have spoken to the club. Then a follow-up will be made with the player.
“We are very worried about what happened‚ and how is that going to impact negatively on him as a player and on Bafana Bafana. The next Fifa week of March 21 to 30 is very important for us.”
Inverness CT Alloa Athletic
BARRY WILSON felt he should have been able to hand the reins to new temporary manager Neil McCann after back-to-back wins.
It was confirmed late last night the former Hearts, Rangers and Scotland winger will stand-in for John Robertson while the Caley Thistle boss recovers on compassionate leave after a family bereavement.
But Inverness coach Wilson is just gutted the handover will come after a dramatic setback.
The Highlanders would surely have leapt into fifth place in the table had Miles Storey slotted home a late penalty with his team 2-1 up.
Alloa’s first-half lead through Innes Cameron, collapsed in the space of three minutes through thunderous strikes by Wallace Duffy and James Keatings.
But Storey fluffed a spot-kick soon after and Alan Trouten was able to level from the spot.
The point took Inverness up to sixth and saw Alloa cut the gap at the bottom to four points.
But Wilson knew his team should have seen it out. He said: “Alloa were in our box twice. It was two mistakes. But we got a great reaction from the players and couldn’t have asked for more in terms of what they put into the game. It’s just frustrating we didn’t get the three points.”